Driver's License Classes

A Georgia Driver's License is classified according to the type and weight of vehicles that may be operated by the person to whom they are issued.

Regular & Non-Commercial Driver's Licenses & Permits

Regular and Non-Commercial Classifications

Class C

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, provided that the combination of vehicles has a gross combined vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, and any self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance.

Class CP

Applicant must be at least 15 years old and be able to pass the vision and knowledge test. When driving, there must be a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front seat with him or her at all times. The permit is valid for 24 months. Parental consent is required for applicants under 18 years of age.

Class D

Provisional driver’s license for Class C vehicles. May not operate between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Passenger restrictions:

For the initial six-month period immediately following the issuance of a Class D driver’s license, only immediate family may be passengers in the vehicle.

During the second six-month period immediately following issuance of a Class D driver’s license, only one non-family member under the age of 21 may be a passenger in the vehicle.

After the second six-month period, no more than three non-family members under the age of 21 may be passengers in the vehicle.

Parental consent is required for applicants under 18 years of age.

Class E(formerly Non-Commercial Class A)**

Truck trailer or tractor-semi trailer combination in which the combination weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the unit being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.

Applicants for a Driver’s License in Classes E or F (non-commercial) must submit a Form DDS-36 (Affidavit showing minimum driving experience of 3 months and/or 3,000 miles in type of vehicle for class of driver’s license being applied for.)

Class F(formerly Non-Commercial Class B)**

Single vehicles weighing 26,001 or more pounds; and the unit being towed is less than 10,000 pounds; and motor vehicles included within Class C. Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license prior to obtaining a Class B driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age.

Applicants for a Driver’s License in Classes E or F (non-commercial) must submit a Form DDS-36 (Affidavit showing minimum driving experience of 3 months and/or 3,000 miles in type of vehicle for class of driver’s license being applied for.)

Class EP & FP

Non-Commercial Instructional Permit.

Class M

Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles are included in this class. An applicant must be at least 17 years of age in order to get a Class M driver’s license, but is not required to possess a Class C driver’s license before applying for this license.

Class MP

All applicants must pass an eye test and an examination of motorcycle knowledge. A Class MP instructional permit is valid for 6 months. It is not mandatory for a Class M driver’s license applicant to obtain a Class MP instructional permit before taking the Class M examination, although road test reservations are available only to those applicants who hold a Class MP instructional permit.

Restrictions for a Class MP instructional permit are as follows:

Must be at least 16 years old and have parental consent if under 18.

Must complete Driver Education Training to obtain a Class MP at age 16.

Commercial Driver's Licenses & Permits

Commercial Classifications

Class A

Truck trailer or tractor-semi trailer combination in which the combination weight exceeds 26,001 pounds and the unit being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. Class A driver may operate vehicles in Class B and C with required endorsements. Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license before obtaining a Class A and be at least 18 years of age.

A single driver’s license, with a combination of classifications, will be issued to qualified persons who wish to drive various types of vehicles.

Class AP

Class A Commercial Instructional Permit

Class B

Single vehicles weighing 26,001 or more pounds and the unit being towed is less than 10,000 pounds. A class B driver may operate motor vehicles included within Class C.

Applicants must possess a Class C driver’s license prior to obtaining a Class B driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age.

Class BP

Class B Commercial Instructional Permit

Class C

Class ‘C’ Commercial Driver’s Licenses are issued only if the vehicle is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers (including the driver), or utilized to transport hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding.

** Effective 3/28/2011, DDS has changed the Class Codes for Non-Commercial Driver's License Class A and B, the new Codes, E and F, are indicated above. For drivers holding Non-Commercial Class A or B driver's licenses, the new codes will be converted when the driver renews, replaces or updates their driver’s license.

Other Vehicles

Mopeds

A Moped is any motor-driven cycle with an engine not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters (3.05 cubic inches) that can propel the cycle at a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour (MPH) and does not require clutching or shifting.

Mopeds are exempt from the provisions relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles.

Rules to operate mopeds on Georgia roads and highways:

Must be 15 years of age and have in their possession a valid driver's license, instructional permit or limited permit.

Must wear protective headgear (motorcycle helmet).

No tag is required.

Every person operating a moped upon a roadway must obey the same traffic laws governing drivers of motor vehicles.

May not use limited access highways or other roadways where the minimum speed limit is above 35 mph.

Low Speed Vehicles

A Low Speed Vehicle is any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed attainable in one mile is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 and in effect on January 1, 2001.

Rules to operate Low Speed Vehicles on Georgia roads and highways:
Drivers of low-speed vehicles are subject to the Uniform Rules of the Road except with regard to provisions that cannot apply to such vehicles by virtue of their nature.

All low-speed vehicles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any low-speed vehicle of the full use of a lane.

The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.

No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

Low-speed vehicles shall not be operated two or more abreast in a single lane.

Low-speed vehicles shall be operated only on any highway where the posted speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour.

The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not operate such vehicle on any highway where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.